The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has confirmed one case of measles in an adult resident of Region 9 (comprised of Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes). The patient was exposed to measles during international travel.
Although the individual was not hospitalized, they will remain in isolation until no longer infectious. This patient’s vaccination status is unknown.
To protect patient confidentiality, no further information about the patient will be released.
Measles can linger in the air for up to two hours after the infectious person leaves, and the stated exposure window includes that time. Anyone who was on the same flight as a person with a confirmed case of measles will be notified directly by the public health department of their place of residence.
This is the third measles case reported in Louisiana in 2025. The first two cases were travel-associated, both in adult residents of Region 1 (comprised of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard parishes). LDH initially announced these cases in April and concluded its epidemiological investigation on May 9.
One of the confirmed cases was linked to international travel, and neither of the individuals required hospitalization. The first patient was unvaccinated, and the vaccination status of the second patient is unknown.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among individuals who have not received the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Approximately 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected. Measles can result in hospitalization and, in extreme cases, death.
The measles virus can be especially dangerous for babies and young children, pregnant women, and people who have compromised immune systems.
The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized against measles. To be considered immune, adults need at least one dose of the MMR vaccine given after the age of 1. Individuals born before 1957 or who had measles as a child are considered immune. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether the MMR vaccine is right for you.
For More information visit www.ldh.la.gov
